Ferdausi Rahman

Ferdausi Rahman is a Bangladeshi playback singer who gained prominence for her work in film music. She performed several popular songs for Pakistani films during the 1960s.

Early life and education

Ferdausi Begum was born on 28 June 1941 to the folk singer Abbasuddin Ahmed. She grew up in a musical household alongside two elder brothers. One brother was Justice Mustafa Kamal, who died in 2015, while the other was the singer Mustafa Zaman Abbasi. Her family maintains a strong musical legacy through her nieces—Nashid Kamal, Samira Abbasi and Sharmini Abbasi—and her grand niece Armeen Musa.

Career

Rahman began her journey as a child artiste participating in various radio programmes. She transitioned to performing as an adult artiste for the radio in 1955. Her debut as a playback singer occurred in 1959 when she sang for the film Ei Desh Tomar Amar. This film featured music direction by Khan Ataur Rahman, who was also her father. She followed this success with work on the film Asiya in 1960.

During the 1960s, she worked extensively with the music composer Robin Ghosh. One notable collaboration occurred in the film Chakori, which was released in 1967. In 1964, her singing was broadcast on the newly established Pakistan Television in East Pakistan. This era marked a significant period for her vocal contributions to Pakistani cinema.

Her influence extends to educational broadcasting through her children's program Esho Gaan Shikhi. This program has been running on Bangladesh Television for 44 years to teach children about music. Because of this long-standing contribution, she is known as Gaaner Khalamoni. Additionally, NTV airs a program featuring her songs which contemporary artistes present.

She holds a unique distinction in the history of Bangladeshi cinema. Rahman remains the only female to receive the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director. She earned this specific honor in 1976 for her work on the film Megher Onek Rong.

Personal life

Rahman married Rezaur Rahman, an engineer and industrialist, in 1966. They remained married until his death in 2024. The couple had two sons named Rubaiyat Rahman and Razin Rahman.

Awards and recognition

The singer has received numerous accolades throughout her professional life. She won the Lahore Cine Journalist Awards in 1963. In 1965, she was granted the President's Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan. Her work in film earned her the Bachsas Awards in 1976.

The government of Bangladesh has recognized her with several high honours. She received the Ekushey Padak in 1977 and the Independence Day Award in 1995. In 2008, she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Meril Prothom Alo Awards. Her accolades also include the Nasiruddin Gold Medal and a crest from the Gunijon Shongbordhona programme in 2009.

She also received the 2015 Bangladesh National Film Award for Lifetime Achievement. These awards reflect her decades of contribution to the music industry.